2008 Community Assessment coming soon Published April 2, 2008 By Amy Oliver 1st SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- In four weeks, an Air Force survey designed to identify opinions and needs of Air Force active duty members and their families will kick off at Air Force bases worldwide and will run for two months. The 2008 Community Assessment Survey will run from April 28 through June 30. The results of the survey will be used by base leadership and the Air Force to target resources where they are most needed and enhance the well-being of the community. Active duty personnel will be randomly selected to participate in the study. Those selected to participate will receive a notification to their work e-mail address that includes a link to the Web-based survey. All spouses are eligible and encouraged to participate in the survey. Spouses will receive a letter in the mail with the Web link. "The 2008 Community Assessment Survey is another medium for us to focus on the 1st Special Operations Wing aimpoints ... to forge wingmen, strong families and the Air Commando culture," said Col. Brad Webb, 1st SOW commander. "It is a great opportunity for Airmen to offer feedback on base services, and it allows us to redirect our efforts accordingly in order to provide services to help meet everyone's needs. It also allows Airmen to express their opinions anonymously so participants can respond openly to issues they feel strongly about yet do not feel they have a forum to share their viewpoints." Survey responses can directly influence family services and related support activities at local bases and throughout the Air Force. In fact, the Hurlburt Health and Wellness Center implemented the moms and tots gym as a result of the 2006 Air Force Community Assessment. However, only 27 percent of eligible Hurlburt Field personnel and spouses participated in the 2006 survey. "We implemented changes in the helping agencies based on responses of even this small percentage of the Hurlburt population," Colonel Webb said. "That's why participation is crucial to the success of the project. I strongly encourage selected Airmen and all spouses to take part." This year's survey will be particularly important. As part of a Department of Defense sponsored initiative, this year's Community Assessment, along with some supplemental questions, will be used to direct additional resources to help Airmen and families basewide. Base agencies will work with researchers to ensure this year's survey results are used to maximum benefit. "We must continue to focus on flying, fighting and winning; on leading and developing Airmen to shape our future Air Force; and on forging wingmen, strong families and the Air Commando culture," Colonel Webb said. "This 2008 Community Assessment Survey provides Hurlburt Airmen one more resource to accomplish these aimpoints." For more information on the 2008 Community Assessment, call Shirley Sims at 881-5113 or e-mail her at shirley.sims@hurlburt.af.mil.